On Monday, April 30, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Finance published long-awaited, proposed regulatory amendments under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”), including additional, proposed prescribed “activating events” for the purposes of grow-in benefits that come into force on July 1, 2012, for public commentary.
Industry: Manufacturing
Regulation Proposed To Extend Filing Deadlines of Public Sector, BPS Pension Plans
The Ontario government has proposed an amendment to Regulation 909 made under the Pension Benefits Act, Filing Extension for Certain Pension Plans in the Public Sector and Broader Public Sector. This regulation would extend the timeframe for these pension plans to file their actuarial valuation reports and extend the time for the commencement of special…
Federal Budget Implementation Bill Introduced (C-38)
On April 26, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Among other matters, Bill C-38 would, if passed, amend Part I of the Canada Labour Code (“Code”) to require each party to a collective…
Ontario 2012 Budget Bill Introduced
On March 27, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 55, Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012 (“Bill 55”), omnibus legislation designed to implement a number of the proposals contained in its 2012 Budget, “Strong Action For Ontario.” In part, Bill 55 proposes amendments to reform the interest arbitration process in Ontario that would…
Federal Government Tables Budget 2012
On March 29, 2012, the federal government tabled its 2012 Budget, Economic Action Plan 2012 – A Plan for Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity. Among other things, the Budget includes the following proposals: a requirement that federally regulated private sector employers insure the long-term disability plans they offer to employees; tax changes in respect of…
Ontario 2012 Budget Introduced
On March 27, 2012, the Ontario government tabled its 2012 Budget, “Strong Action For Ontario.” The Budget comes on the heels of the Drummond Report, which was released in mid-February and which recommended sweeping reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service and the delivery of a variety government programs. Key components…
Québec Budget 2012
On March 20, 2012, the Quebec government introduced its 2012-13 Budget. As expected, the government is moving forward with the joint federal-provincial initiative to provide small business owners and their employees with access to large-scale, low-cost, professionally administered pension plans. Accordingly, the Budget introduces Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans (“VRSPs”), mandatory group pension plans that all…
Bill 160 OHSA Amendments Coming Into Force
The Ontario government has proclaimed that effective April 1, 2012, certain amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “Act”) outlined in Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, will come into force. These include: amendments to s. 50 of the Act that allow an inspector to refer a…
Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, referred to Committee
On March 1, 2012, Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Bill 28 is a private member’s bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. If passed, Bill 28 will repeal the Registered…
Ontario Legislative Assembly Resumes Sitting
On February 21, 2012, the House resumed sitting.